2009 New Jersey Code
TITLE 34 - LABOR AND WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION
Section 34:15
34:15-35.11 - Definitions

34:15-35.11. Definitions
    As used in this act:

   a.   "Noise induced occupational hearing loss"  means a permanent bilateral  loss of hearing acuity of the sensorineural type due to prolonged, habitual  exposure to hazardous noise in employment.  For purposes of this supplementary  act, sudden hearing loss resulting from a single, short noise exposure, such as  an explosion, shall not be considered an occupational disease but shall be  considered as an injury by accident. Exceptional cases of sensorineural  hearing loss can be considered occupational hearing loss provided it can be established that the cause was short term exposures to high intensity noise  levels.

   b.   "Sensorineural hearing loss"  means a loss of hearing acuity due to damage to the inner ear which can result from numerous causes, as distinguished  from conductive hearing loss which results from disease or injury involving the  middle ear or outer ear or both and which is not caused by prolonged exposure  to noise.

   c.   "Prolonged exposure"  means exposure to hazardous noise in employment for a period of at least 1 year.

   d.   "Habitual exposure"  means exposure to noise exceeding the allowable daily dose, at least 3 days each week, for at least 40 weeks each year.

   e.   "Hazardous noise"  mean noise which exceeds the permissible daily exposure to the corresponding noise level as shown in the following table:

    Noise Level (dBA)                             Permissible Daily Exposure

          90                                              8  hours

          95                                              4  hours

          100                                             2  hours

          105                                             1  hour

          110                                            30  minutes

          115                                            15  minutes

  

   f.   "Hearing threshold level"  means the lowest decibel sound which may be  heard on the audiometer 50% of the times presented during audiometric testing.

   L.1979, c. 285, s. 2.